McAllen ISD’s Marketing and Communications team earned 11 state awards in education communications this year.
The awards were presented by the Texas School Public Relations Association (TSPRA) during the association’s 64th annual conference held in February in Galveston. Members from across the state received honors from the association for their outstanding work in education communications earning Gold Star, Silver Star, Bronze Star, Best of Category, Certificate of Merit, Crystal Commendation and/or Platinum awards.
“Our team works hard each year to capture and amplify the fantastic accomplishments of the students, teachers and staff in McAllen ISD,” Marketing and Communications Director Felicia Villarreal said. “I’m so proud to work with such dedicated, talented and creative people.”
McAllen ISD submitted nine videos and all nine earned a Gold Star. McAllen ISD was the only school district in the South Texas Region to have 100 percent of its entries earn a Gold Star.
Two of the Gold Star winning videos went on to win a Best Of Category medal – emblematic for the best in Texas.
The two Best of Category medal winners included:
Video – News Package Deaf Awareness Pipe celebrated at Escandon Elementary
Video – Live Sports Event Football – Rio Grande City vs McAllen High - Week 9 - 2024
This was the second straight year for McAllen ISD to win these two categories.
The News Package award winner was a video celebrating art for a special population – the deaf and hard of hearing community. McAllen ISD is the regional hub for deaf and hard of hearing students and this video was made to highlight a matter of importance to them (a drainage pipe dedicated as a mural). The pipe celebrated the deaf community.
The Live Sports Event winner featured live web coverage of a high school football game played just before Halloween. This game included a lot of Halloween-themed graphics. Creepy music was added during the pre-game plus graphics of ghosts used as transitions from replays to live shots. The Halloween graphics took 6-7 hours over a four-day period to prepare.
Historically, McAllen ISD has earned multiple awards for coverage of its live sporting events.
Each year, TSPRA recognizes communicators in school districts, education foundations, education associations and organizations for their work in print and electronic media categories. There are 47 main categories covering various media such as newsletters, programs, posters, reports, writing, image/identity packages, photography, graphics, video, electronic presentations, campaigns, events and websites.
This year, TSPRA received 1,937 entries. For the first 47 categories, the entries are divided into three divisions based on the number of students the district, foundation or organization serves - under 15,000 students; 15,000 to 40,000 students; and over 40,000 students. Independent judges evaluate and score each entry based on its own merit. Bronze, Silver and Gold Stars are awarded based on set criteria. Finally, the judges review their highest scoring Gold Star winners and select a Best of Category for each division in each of the 47 categories.
About McAllen ISD
McAllen ISD is a 2025 winner of the state’s highest rating of an “A” grade and a 2025 winner of the state’s Postsecondary Readiness Distinction. The district is home to 31 campuses and approximately 19,500 students. To learn more about McAllen ISD’s schools and programs, contact Student Outreach at 956-687-MISD (6473).
About TSPRA
The Texas School Public Relations Association (TSPRA) is a nonprofit, professional organization dedicated to promoting public schools through effective communications. TSPRA, a chapter of the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA), was chartered in 1962 and incorporated in 1977. With more than 1,300 members, TSPRA is comprised primarily of public information and communications professionals who serve the public school istricts and education organizations of Texas. The membership also includes superintendents, administrators, principals, web/technology/ electronic media and graphic professionals, education foundation executive directors and their boards, association executive directors, school consultants, vendors and others who support public education in the state. TSPRA provides professional development, resources and networking opportunities for members and others in the education community.